Cycle.



Patented Dec. 3|, I901; C. L. HORACK.

CYCLE.

(Applicatlun filed 1390.4, 1900.

3 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Modal.)-

IIVVEA/TOB. m 987% MTNESJE Nu. 689,969. Patented Dec. 3|, l90l.

C. L. HORAGK.

GYYOLE.

(Application filed Dan. 4. 1800.)

(No Model.) I 3 Sheets$haet 2.

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m w m P e D d e t n e t a BI K Pu A R 0 H L .u 9 6 w g 8 6 n N CYCLE.

(Ayphcation filed Dec. 4, 1900.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

INVENTOR.

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UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES L. IIORACK, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

CYCLE.

SPEGZFIGTFTION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 689,969, datedDecember 31, 1901.

Application filed December 4, 1900. Serial No. 38,632. (No model- To allwhom, 25 may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES L. HORACK, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of New York, in the county of Kings and State of NewYork, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cycles, ofwhich the following is a specification.

My invention refers to vehicles of various kinds, and more particularlyto such as bicycles and tricycles which may be propelled by the personseated or mounted thereon or by any suitable motor, thus includingautomobiles.

As all the improvements invented by me are especially applicable tocycles and as theirconstruction and operation can be illustrated andexplained in connection with cycles, I will in the followingspecification and in the drawings accompanying the same make referenceparticularly to cycles,without, however, limiting my invention and itsapplication to this particular class of vehicles.

The objects of my invention are to provide means for neutralizing orreducing the shocks imparted to a cycle owing to the roughness of roadsand its meeting with obstructions in general and to protect the rideragainst such shocks and reactions therefrom; also, to provide suitablemeans for regulating and adjusting the action of cushioning meansemployed for such purpose. I accomplish these and other useful objectsby the means hereinafter described, and set forth more particularly inthe claims.

In the accompanying drawings,forming part of this specification, andwherein like characters of reference refer to corresponding parts,Figure l is a side elevation of a bicycle constructed according to myinvention, some portions being broken away, while Fig. 2 is a verticallongitudinal section, and Fig. 3 a rear view, of a device for regulatingthe cushioning of the rear wheel with reference to the seatframe. Fig.4isasection along one-half of the rear-Wheel axle. Fig. 5 is a sectionalong line 8 8 in Fig. 2 looking toward the right; Fig. 6, a verticalsection of the device for supporting springs upon which the rear-wheelframe is cushioned, and Fig. 7 a section along line 10 in Fig.6. Fig. 8is a vertical section of a detail of said cushioning device. Fig. 9 is aside elevation, partly in section, of the rear portion of a cycle andcomprising modified cushioning means constructed according to myinvention and attached to a different form of a sectional frame.

Figs. 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 are drawn to a scale about eight times as largeas that of Figs. 1 and 9, While Fig. 4 is drawn to about four times thescale of said Figs. 1 and 9, the scale of Fig. 8 being about sixteentimes as large as that of Figs. 1 and 9.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 8, inclusive, 21 is the upper main tube ofthe cycle-frame; 22, the lower main tube; 23, the diagonalor down tube;24, the saddle-pillar; 25, the saddle; 26, the steering-head; 27, thehandle-bars; 28, the handle-bar stem; 29, the cran'k'shaft; 30, thepedal-bars, with their pedals; 31, tl1e upper rear fork; 32, the lowerrear fork; 33, the front fork; 34, the pilotnvheel, and thedrivingwheel.

36 is the axle of the driving-wheel, mounted within a shell 37, whichcontains the ballbearings and serves as hub of the wheel in usualmanner.

38 is an auxiliary upper rear fork, preferably hinged to theseat-section of the frame by pin 39, which pin also secures fork 31 tosaid seat-section. To the lower ends of fork 38 axle 36 is secured inusual manner, while said axle is adapted to travel within curving slots40 in the lower ends of fork 31. To permit of such up-and-down travel ofthe wheel with reference to the main cycle-frame, the followingcushioning means are provided within the stem of fork 38, so as to formpart thereof.

The upper end of the stem of fork 38 comprises a hollow rod 42, to thelower end of which a piston 43 is attached, which travels within acylinder 44. 45 is a stem rigidly attached to the bottom of saidcylinder and terminating in a hexagon 46. 47 is a clutch in engagementwith said hexagon, and to said clutch the lower portion of fork 33 isrigidly attached.

48 represents two lugs extending rearward from diagonal tube 23. Thesame carry the fulcrum 49 of a lever 50. The portion of said leverrearward from point 50' is forked, so as to have its rear slotted endsengage with two trunnions 51, placed on each side of stem 45. Theforward part of said lever extends into the interior of tube 23 througha slot 52, which runs upward to the end of said tube.

53 and 54 are two spiral springs within tube 23, 53 surrounding 54 andextending farther upward than said spring 54. The support for the lowerends of both springs comprises a coarse screw 55, fixedly secured totube 23 or to the fitting at the lower end of said tube, and a cap-56,adapted to be screwed upward IO and downward along 55. On the top ofsaid cap a groove is provided in which travel balls 57, upon which restsa disk 58, forming the immediate support of said springs.

59 59 are studs placed at slight intervals I5 along and around cap 56for the purpose of taking hold of the same by means of a key a, andthereby revolving said cap, and thus changing the elevation of disk58,and consequently varying the tensions of springs 53 and 54 as may bedesired. 1) is a port in the side of tube 23, through which said key maybe inserted, and c a cap kept screwed over said port after such tensionshave been adjusted. Said cap has a recess for receiving the end of thestem of key a while the same is in engagement with the stud 59 directlyopposite said recess. Thus said key is utilized in locking parts 55 and56 in their proper relative positions, and thereby maintaining theadjustments of the springs. The employment of balls 57, as described,greatly facilitates the adjustment of the springs by neutralizing theotherwise greatfrietion between cap 56 and disk 58, which as said diskisbeing 5 revolved would in the absence of the ball-bearings tend tolikewise revolve said cap and to thereby torsion the springs restingupon said cap. When the rear wheel strikes an obstruction, its axle willthereby be forced upward 0 within slot40, and in consequence trunnions51 and the rear end of lever will be forced upward and the forward endofsaid lever will be forced downward, this movement being yieldinglyresisted by springs 53 and 54. It 5 is important to be able tosuccessively bring saidisprings into action, so that when a slight shockoccurs onl one spring receives the same and reacts under it, thussecuring under those conditions a lively play of said 50 spring, whileunder a heavy shock both springs are brought into action, and therebyexcessive up-aud-down movements are guarded against.

For the purpose of regulating the extent to which spring 53 may becompressed before spring 54 is actuated I employ the following means: Iso adjust the lengths of the two springs that spring 53 will normallyextend above spring 54 when neither of them is under compression. 60 isan enlargement of the forward end of lever 50, through which passes ascrew 61, (shown in Fig. 2 to be partly broken away for the purpose ofexposing other parts,) which screw at its lower end has a hook or an eye62, engaging with eye 63, whichis elongated toward the front of thecycle at the top of a stud 64, said eye having alower shoulder, which isadapted to engage with the top of spring 54. 65 is a disk resting onspring 53 and having a central perforation through which screw 61 passesfreely. The forward end of lever 50 is also provided with two shortprongs 66, extending downward therefrom one toward the right and theother toward the 'left, so as to come to rest upon and be normallyincontact with disk 65. As the forward end of the lever moves downwardspring 53 alone will be compressed until eye 63 comes to rest uponspring 54 and begins to compress the same. By raising or lowering screw61 the extent of the compression of spring 53 before compres sion ofspring 54 takes place can therefore be regulated. In Fig. 2 the positionof the lever corresponds with that of extreme compression of both of thesprings. When the arm of the lever nearest to said springs moves upward, it will ultimately carry eye 63 away from spring 54, so as toclear the latter and relieve the same of compression, while spring 53continues under compression. It is desirable to give to spring 53 anormal initial com pression while the lever is in its normal posi tion,which compression would force the for ward end of said lever stillhigher if not resisted by wheel 35. This extra tension will as the ridermounts the bicycle, but before also lowering the forward end of thelever.

Such lowering of the fulcrum may be accomplished by the following means:Axle or fulcrum 49 is mounted upon a bearing 67, inserted, movable, andguided between the two rear arms of lever 50. Its upper and lowersurfaces are provided with depressions into which fit set-screws 68,passing through and in engagement with cross connections 69 on lugs 48.Thus by proper adjustments of the screws theelevation offulcrum 49, andthereby the tension of spring 53, may be adjusted, particularly alsowith reference to the different Weights of different riders, and afterthat the extent'of its compression prior to actuating spring 54 may beadjusted as above'described.

S is an auxiliary spring placed underneath the piston.

In order to avoid the disagreeable churning motion caused by freealternate compression and rexpansion or reaction of springs serving ascushioning means between the saddle and the driving-wheel, I employ thefollowing means for retarding the action of springs 53 and 54 duringtheir rexpansion:

Piston 43 I construct, preferably, as a cup 70, made of leather or thelike and having an upward-extending flange 71, and metal disks and nutsscrewed into the piston-rod above and below it to properly hold it inposition. The metal disk 72 is of sufficient outer diameter to maintainflange 71 in contact with the wall of cylinder 44. As ordinarily Iprefer to have the piston move down without meeting with resistanceexcept that due to springs 53 and 54 and the increased difierentialfluidpressure on the piston produced by the reduction of the fluid-spacewithin the cylinder due to the inward movement of the pistonrod and tounavoidable'friction in the appa ratus, while its upward movement is tobe retarded, the arrangement of cup with flange 71 turned upward, asdescribed, favors my purpose, because owing to its construction thepiston in moving downward will meet with less friction than when movingupward.

73 is a by-pass around the piston, leading from the bottom to the top ofthe cylinder. In its lower portion I insert a check-valve 74, openingupward and normally forced downward and against its seat by a spiralspring 75, resting against a plug 76, having perforations 77 and screwedto the walls of said bypass.

78 is a smaller check-valve, adapted to open downward and seated uponthe under side of valve 74, which is perforated at that point.

79 is a spiral spring for forcing valve 78 t0- ward its seat. Nhenparticularly free upward movement of said valve is desired, spring 79may be omitted. 80 is a shank extending upward from said valve throughvalve 74 and into plug 76 and carryinga screwnut 81, which by beingraised or lowered along said shank will permit of more or less extremeopening of valve 78. The upper end of said shank is permitted to playwithin a channel 82 in plug 76, a screw 83 therein serving as anadjustable stop for said shank, whereby the extreme extent of the upwardmovement of valve 74 may be adjusted.

84 is a screw-plug for closing the interior of the by-pass against theatmosphere.

85 is a plug screwed into the lower end of piston-rod 42, so as tocreate within the same an air-chamber. S6 .is a check-valve seatedthereon opening upward and provided with an adjustable stop in the formof a screw-nut 87 to limit its upward movement. 88 is an independentpassage in said plug, a screwpin 89 with pointed head serving to partlyor wholly close said opening, as may be desired.

Assuming the cylinder and-by-pass to be free of liquid and that no otherconnectingpassage exists between the interior of the cylinder and theby-pass except the ends of the latter near the ends of the cylinder, itwill be seen that when a shock is imparted to the rear wheel, andcylinder 44 is thereby forced upward and springs 53 54 are compressed inconsequence, valves 74 and 86 will move upward after .the air has beensufficiently compressed underneath the piston,thereby allowingsubstantially free flow of air from there upward into the spaces abovesaid valves. IVhen reaction takes place, said check-valves will movedownward and return flow of air can then only occur through the passagesrestricted by valve 78 and screw-pin S9, and it will be seen that owingto the adjustments provided with reference thereto this flow may beretarded as may be desired, whereby not only a partial vacuum will becaused to be formed and may be maintained for a greater or shorterperiod underneath the piston, but also a cushion of compressed air abovethe same for the purpose of retarding its upward movement,due to theaction of springs 53 and 54,until gradual equalization of said airpressures has taken place.

While, generally speaking, I prefer to permit perfectly free upward flowof air through by-pass 73 and plug 85, it will be seen that in casesprings 53 54 act too freely a check may be provided in that respect byso limiting the extreme upward movements of valves 74 and 86 as torestrict in a measure the up ward flow through the same. Springs 79,resisting the opening of valve 78, will as cylinder 44 begins to movedownward confine between the upper surface of the piston and valve 74all the air forming the air-cushion there which resists such downwardmovement longer than would otherwise be the case, and thereby and bylonger maintaining a more efficient vacuum underneath the piston willassist in retarding reaction of springs 53 and 54. It will readilybeseen that a spring and adjustments to control the movement of valve 86might be provided for the same in similar manner as described withreference to valve 74. By entirely closing perforation 88 and theair-chamber above the same by means of screw'pin 89 and by screwingupward nut 87 it is possible to confine the flow of air which serves tocheck and regulate the action of springs 53 and 54 entirely to by-pass73. This will be resorted to when it is desired to particularly retardthe reactions of said springs, while when said air-chamber within thepiston-rod is maintained in operative connection with the spaceunderneath the piston a more easy and gradual movement of said piston ineither direction will result. A simple means for further regulating andadj usting the action of the air-chamber above valve 86 is provided bymaking said air-chamber adj ustable in size. This I accomplish byscrew-threading the interior of tube 42 at intervals, so that by theinsertion of one of a series of different plugs, such as f, a greater orsmaller portion of the upper part of the interior of said tube may beout OK entirely.

By insertingv valves 74 and 78 and their regulating means and springs ina by-pass readily accessible from the outside, as described, I gain theadvantage of making their examination and adjustment easy withoutinterfering with other parts of the apparatus.

The necessarily-limited capacity of cylinder 44 makes it very importantthat no air be permitted to pass downward around the edges of itspiston,and also that it be possible to closely regulate the amounts ofair passing through the valves above referred to, as when air on oneside of the piston is undercompression, while on the other side a.partial vacuum is being maintained, such passage'of air around thepiston or excessive flow of air through the valves will tend to defeatthe purposes of my regulating means. I therefore prefer. to maintain atall times a body ofv liquid-preferably oil, glycerin, or the. like-abovethe piston and to also cause a body of such liquid to at all timesremain underneath the piston and to keep the valves employed immersed insuch liquid part or all of the time, as shown more particularly in Fig.2, wherein the surfaces of such bodies arevindicated by letters 0 0, itbeing well known that under the same pressures liquid will pass througha given aperture more slowly than air and it being in consequence mucheasier to properly adjust the play of the valves when liquid is so usedand to keep such valves as tightas practicable when they are intended torestrict flow of fluid. Anotherimportantadvantageis gained by theemployment of liquid, as described above, and particularly by enforcingflow of liquid through a restricted return-passage instead of permittingflow of compressed air through the same while compression ofair is beingeffected on one side of said passage and either a partial or aperfectvacuum is being produced simultaneously on the other side thereof. Thisadvantage is based upon the fact that liquid being substantiallynoncompressible will while passing. through the restricted passage andalso after reaching that side of said passage Where the vacuum is beingproduced occupy no ,more space than it did on the compression side ofsaid passage, while a body of compressed air of the same bulk. would atonceand rapidly expand after reaching the vacuum side, thus tending togreatly and sometimes dangerously reduce the vacuum there, while at thesame timethe pressure onthe compression side would be reduced. Thischange of bulk of the air when reaching the vacuum side would thereforemateriallyafiect and would interfere with the proper operation. of theregulating device of the cushioning means. The employment of liquid asdescribed guards against this difficulty by checking the expansion ofthe air through said passage from the compressionside to the vacuumside. Bypass 73 is shown to containabove valve 74 an oil-pocket ofconsiderable capacity, so that during the lowering of the cylinder valve78 may remain immersed for a considerable time. The duration of suchperiod at a given rate of speed of movement of said cylinder will dependupon the extent to which valve 78 is permitted to open and upon thequantities of oil underneath the piston and above said valve, and itwill therefore be seen that the regulation of such quantities is of muchimportance. By making the body of oil above the piston so large that asthe latter approaches stuffing-box oil will thereby be forced into theupper part of the by-pass it will be the air-space left therein.

such movement, disregarding friction, would v be substantiallyunobstructed, even assuming that no air could pass around thepiston,

owing to the fact that it would only require the downward movement ofvalve 78 to establish such communication between the two sides of thepiston as would instantaneously produce corresponding air-pressu resthroughout the cylinder and by-pass. On the other hand, in casesufficient liquid be contained in the casing to completely fill thecylinder and by-pass while the piston is in its lowest position, thenupon ascending of the latter a perfect vacuum would have to be formedunderneath it, and in addition an amount of liquid corresponding in bulkwith the space traversed by the piston would have to be forced throughthe opening controlled by valve 78. This would of course greatlyretardthe reaction of the springs, and as said vacuum could not be destroyedduring such reaction it would defeat complete reaction. Considering nowintermediate conditions it will be seen that the greater the quantity ofliquid in the cylinder and by-pass-the smaller All other conditionsbeing equal a small air-space underneath the piston will result in astronger vacuum there due to a given upward movement of the piston and asmall air-space above the piston will result in more rapid compressionand therefore greater resistance there also to such movement. It willalso be seen that during downward movement of the piston if theair-space within the casing is reduced, owing to the presence of liquid,the compression of the air therein will be more rapid and the ultimatecompression will be greater, and thus springs 53, 54, and S will bereinforced, due to the greater differential pressure on the piston. Thispermitsof adjusting the cushioning device in accordance with the Weightof the rider.

For the purpose of regulating the contents of the bodies of oil abovereferred to I attach to the rear of cylinder 44 an oil-reservoir R bymeans of metallic yokes M, provided on said cylinder. is aconduithavingastopcock 91 for admitting oil from the bottom of said reservoirto the lower portion of cylinder 44 or for withdrawing it in theopposite direction. 92 is a plug for closing the admission-port to suchreservoir.

It will readily be seen that by properly inanipulating the piston oilmay be drawn or forced into the different parts of the regulatingdevicein quantities as desired.

Y Y are port-holes having covers comprismg glass plates or lenses, saidcovers being screwed to the upper and the lower portions of the walls ofcylinder 44 for observing the quantities of oil contained therein.

h and t are passages connecting the by-pass and the interior of cylinder44 at dilferent heights, but at points which the piston must pass soonafter compression of spring 53 begins, the highest position reached bysaid piston beingindicated in Fig. 2 in broken lines. Said passages areadapted to be closed by screws, as j. In case it be decided to give tosaid spring lively return play after it has been compressed slightly andtherefore to that extent neutralize the action of valves 73 and 73 thiscan be done by keeping one of such passages open, as the piston inmoving downward will force oil freely through the same into the bypassand equally free return How of the oil will take place as the pistonagain moves upward. By keeping the lower passage i open thecomparatively free and unobstructed play of said spring will be moreextensive than if instead upper passage h were left open.

93 and 94 are rings so adjustably secured to piston-rod 42 byscrew-thread that thereby the extent of the play of the piston withinthe cylinder and in consequence the play of springs 53 and 54 canbelimited in either direction, the upper and the lower faces of thestuffing-box 851 in the vicinity of the pistonrod serving as stops forsaid rings. I prefer to construct said rings with flanges extending fromtheir screw-threaded portions toward the stuffing-box so as to permit ofthe rings coming in contact with the stuffingbox without thescrew-thread on the pistonrod entering into or reaching saidstuffing-box.

As piston 43, together with portion of piston-rod 42, forms a movablewall which travels up and down within cylinder 44, it will be seen thatwhen the rear wheel strikes an obstruction and the piston thereby issuddenly forced downward with reference to the cylinder, so as tointroduce an additional portion of the piston-rod into the cylinder, theaggregate of the space therein containing fluid will be reduced, theincrease of fluid-space above the piston being more than neutralized bythe reduction of such space underneath the same, and as liquid issubstantially non-compressible under pressures as will then occur withinthe cylinder the air throughout the same and throughout by-pass 73 willreceive all such compression and will immediately as valve 74 opens haveimparted to it uniform additional pressures, thus forming a differentialair-spring tending toassist in neutralizing the shock so imparted,thereby assisting spring 53, because the operative area of the pistonreceiving upward pressure from the air so compressed is exceeding thatreceiving downward pressure therefrom. This willcontinue until valve 74drops and again assumes its restrictive position and after valve 78opens the pressure on both sides of the piston will at first becomegradually equalized, and then as spring 53 continues to force the pistonupward within the cylinder the air pressure above the piston willgradually become stronger than that underneath the same and will serveas a check-retarding reaction of said spring. Therefore in so arrangingspring 53 that it will resist the inward movement of the piston-rod andenforce its outward movement from the cylinder the air in the latterwill be made to serve two useful purposes-viz., to act as a springyieldingly resisting downward movement of the saddle with reference tothe rear wheel and as a check also yieldingly, but more forcibly,resisting the return movement of the saddle. If instead the arrangementwere such that spring 53 became actuated as the piston-rod movedoutward, the air in the cylinder would become rarefied at that time 7and could not as efficiently perform the functions with reference tospring 53 described above. These observations also demonstrate that anincrease of oil within the cylinder and the by-pass will tend tostrengthen the airspring created therein. Therefore by providingconveniences and appliances as described for varying the amount ofliquid within the cylinder 1 am enabled to readily adjust the resistanceof the cushioning device to varying loads.

The saddle-post closes the upper part of slot 52 against the admissionof water and dust, but special provision is desirable in that respectwith reference to the portion of the slot within which lever 50 plays. Iprovide protect ion there by means of a shield 95, comprising two halvesjoined together vertically, so as to embrace lever 50 where it enterstube 23 and confined in their travel along said slot between two guides96. Said shield is of sufficient length as to at all times cover thepart of slot 52 not protected by the saddle-post. By placing said shieldoutside of tube 23 I am enabled to readily adjust it in its properoperative position after inserting lever 50 in said tube and to alsodetach it from said tube when desired without being obliged to changethe position of the lever.

The forward end of fork 32 is articulated to the shell surrounding axle29 in any suitable manner. A hinge 32 may also be provided at the rearend of fork 32 for further adding to the flexibility in a vertical planeof the frame-section carrying the rear wheel.

139 is a divided casing secured to the cycle-frame and adapted toprotect the cushioning means for the drivingwvheel section.

Fig. 9 refers to a different form of a sectional frame wherein a rearupper fork 31' is hinged to the seat-frame at 3.) and to the lower rearfork at 150, the lower rear fork at its forward end terminating in aU-shaped casing 156, which is hinged at 157 to casing 07, surroundingthe crank axle. A cylinder 44, inclosing regulating means, as describedabove, forms portion of fork 31 and actuates a spiral spring 151,inserted within the seatsection of the cycle-frame, and also a flexiblediaphragm 152, forming part of a pneumatic cushion with said section,l53 being a valve for inflating said cushion. 154 is a lever impartingmovement of cylinder 44 to said springs. 155 is a screw in the lever forad- I justing the initial position of said diaphragm.

instead of employing a piston in a casing, a

movable wall in the form of a flexible diaphragm might be employed forthe purpose of regulating the action of cushioning means with the aid ofautomatic valves in manner substantially as described.

Where in the following claims reference is made to automatic valves forregulating the flow of fluid it is intended to refer to any suitablevalves whereby during relative displacements of portions of the cyclethe flow of air between different chambers in the pneumatic' cushioningmeans may be or is regulated owing to and in consequence of suchdisplacements and without the intelligent action of the rider indirectly bringing about this result. In the instances herein describedsuch automatic valves referred to in the claims consist in thecheck-valves specified through which fluid may pass from one side of apiston to the other.

Where restricted passages or restricted return-passages are referred toin the following claims, it' is the intention to express thereby thatthe operative cross-section or the aggregate operative cross-sections ofthe respective passages are smailer than the operative cross section orcross-sections of passages through which'flow of fluid takes place whenthe automatic valves referred to ins-aid claims are open, and where avalve is specified to be in its restricting position this is intended toin-.

dicatethat, taking account of its mounting, adjustment, andconfiguration, it then occupiesa position of greatest practicableobstruction to the flow of fluid between the two compartments on eachside of said valve.

Having shown and described and claimed in other applications for LettersPatent now pending in the Patent Office the broader features of thecushioning means herein set forth, I do not claim the same in thisapplication; v

1. In regulating means for cushioning devices for cycles, thecombination with a casing, of a wallmovable with reference thereto andadapted to displace fluid within said casing,an automatic valvebetweentwo compartments in the casing, a restricted return-passage beingprovided for permitting flow of fluid between the compartments when thevalve is in its restricting position, a body of liquid filling part onlyof said casing whereby an air-space is left within one of saidcompartments, and means for compelling flow of liquid through saidpassage, and thereby checking flow of air through the same after thevalve reaches its restricting position and while the air in saidair-space is being subjected to changing pressures due to the movementof said wall.-

, 2. In a cushioning device for cycles, the combination with a casing,of a movable wall adapted to displace fluid therein, a spring 00- actingwith said casing and said wallin their relative movements and adjustedto be actuat-ed when said wall moves in one direction and to react whenthe wall moves in the op-- posite direction, an automatic valve betweentwo compartments inthe casing and adjusted to occupy its restrictingposition while the spring is reacting, a restricted return-passage beingprovided for permitting flow of fluid between the compartments when thevalve is in such restricting position, a bodyof liquid filling part onlyof said casing whereby an airspace is left in one of saidcompartments,and means for compelling flow of liquid through saidpassage and thereby checking flow of air through the same after thevalve reaches its restricting position and while the air in saidair-space is being subjected to changing pressures due to the movementof said wall.

3. In a cycle, the combination with the frame, the seat and the wheels,of a spring, means for actuating said spring while the seat is beinglowered with reference to one of the wheels and for converting reactionof the spring into upward movement of the seat with reference to suchwheel, such means comprising a casing, a movable wall adapted todisplace fiuid therein, an automatic valve between two compartments inthe casing and.

adjusted to occupy its restricting position while the seat is being soraised, a restricted return-passage being provided for permitting flowof fluid between the compartments when the valve is in such restrictingposition, a body of liquid filling part only of said casingwhereby anair-space is left within one of said compartments, and means forcompelling flow of liquid through said passage and thereby checking flowof air through the same after the valve reaches its restricting positionand while the air in said air-space is being subjected to changingpressures due to the movement of said wal 4. In regulating means forcushioning devices for cycles, the combination with a cylinder, of apiston reciprocating therein, an automatic valve between thecompartments at both sides of the piston, a restricted return-passagebeing provided for permitting flow of fluid between the compartmentswhen the valve is in its restricting position, a body of liquid fillingpart only of said cylinder whereby an air-space is left within one ofsaid compartn1ents,and means for compelling flow of liquid through saidpassage and thereby checking flow of air through the same after thevalvereaches its restricting position and while the air in said air-space isbeing subjected to changing pressures due to the movement of saidpiston.

5. In regulating means for cushioning devices for cycles, thecombination with a casing, of a movable wall adapted to displace fluidtherein,an au tomatic valve between two compartments in the casing, arestricted return-passage being provided for permitting flow of fluidbetween the compartments when the valve is in its restricting position,a body of liquid filling part only of said casing whereby an air-spaceis left within one of said compartments, means for compelling flow ofliquid through said passage and thereby checking flow of air through thesame after the valve reaches its restricting position and while the airin said air-space is being subjected to changing pressures due to themovement of said wall, a second valve for controlling flow of liquidthrough such passage and a spring for actuating said second valve.

6. In regulating means for cushioning devices for cycles, thecombination with a cylinder, of a piston reciprocating therein, anautomatic valve between the compartments at both sides of the piston, arestricted return-passage being provided for permitting flow of fluidbetween the compartments when the valve is in its restricting position,a body of liquid filling part only of said cylinder whereby an air-spaceis left within one of said compartments, means for compelling flowofliquid through said passage and thereby checking flow of air throughthe same after the valve reaches its restricting position and while theair in said airspace is being subjected to changing pressures due to themovement of said piston, and means constituting part of said body ofliquid for simultaneously producing a liquid seal for the piston.

7. In regulating means for cushioning devices for cycles, thecombination with a casing, of a movable wall adapted to displace fluidtherein, an automatic valve between two compartments in the casing, arestricted return-passage being provided for permitting flow of fluidbetween the compartments when the valve is in its restricting position,a body of liquid filling part only of the casing whereby an airspace isleft within one of said compartments, and means for compelling flow ofliquid thro ugh said restricted passage and for providing a liquid sealfor said valve and for simultaneously enforcing flow of liquid throughsaid restricted passage when said valve is in its restricting positionand while the airin said air-space is being subjected to changingpressures due to the movement of said wall.

8. In regulating means for cushioning devices for cycles, thecombination with a cylinder having a suitable stuffing-box, of apiston-rod sliding within said stuffing-box, a piston attached to saidpiston-rod and reciprocating within the cylinder whereby twocompartments are formed therein, an automatic valve between saidcompartments adjusted to occupy its restricting position while thepiston'rod is moving outward, a restricted return-passage being providedfor permitting flow of fluid between the compartments when the valve isin its restricting position, a body of liquid filling part only of saidcylinder whereby an air-space is left in one of said compartments, andmeans for compelling flow of liquid through said passage andtherebychecking flow of air through the same while the valve is in itsrestricting position and while the air in said air-space is beingsubjected to changing pressures due to the movement of said piston.

9. In regulating means for cushioning devices for cycles, thecombination with a cylinder having a suitable stuffing-box, of a piston,its piston-rod sliding within said stuffingbox, a conduit around thepiston for connecting the compartments at both sides of the same, anautomatic valve in said conduit, a restricted return-passage beingprovided in said conduit for permitting flow of fluid between thecompartments when the valve is in its restricting position, a body ofliquid filling part only of said cylinder and conduit whereby anair-space is lefttherein, and means for compelling flow of liquidthrough said passage and thereby checking flow of air through the samewhen said valve is in its restricting position and while the air in saidair-space is being subjected to changing pressures due to the movementof said piston.

10. In regulating means for cushioning devices for cycles, thecombination with a casing, of a wall movable with reference theretowhereby the inclosed fluid cubic contents of the casing are alternatelydecreased and increased, an automatic valve between two compartments insaid casing and adjusted to occupy its restricting position while suchcubic contents are being increased, a restrict ed return-passage beingprovided for permitting flow of fluid between the compartments while thevalve is in its restricting position, a body of liquid filling part onlyof said casing whereby an air-space is left within one of saidcompartments, and means forcompelling flow of liquid through saidpassage and thereby checking flow of air through the same after thevalve reaches its restricting position and while the air in saidair-space is being subjected to changing pressures due to the movementof said wall.

ICC

11. In regulating means for cushioning departments while said valve isin its restricting position, a body of liquid filling part only of saidcylinder, means for compelling flow of liquid through said passage andthereby checking flow of air through the same while the valve is in itsrestricting position and while the air in said cylinder is beingsubjected to changing pressures due to the movement of said piston andmeans for maintaining a body of air on each side of the piston Whilesuch flow of liquid is taking place through said passage.

12. In cushioning devices for cycles, the combination with a cylinderhaving a suitable stuffing-box, of a piston, its piston-rod slidingwithin said st-nfling-box, a spring adapted to be actuated when saidpiston moves in one direction and to react when the piston moves in theopposite direction, an automatic valve between the two compartments atopposite sides of the piston adjusted to occupy its restrictin gposition while the spring is reacting, a restricted return-passage beingprovided for permitting flow of fluid between the compartments when saidvalve is in its restricting position, a body of liquid filling part onlyof the cylinder whereby an air-space is left in one of saidcompartments, and means for compel ling flow of liquid through suchpassage and thereby checkingflow of air through the same after the valvereaches its restricting position and while the air in said air-space isbeing subjected to changing pressures due to the movement of saidpiston.

13. Ina cycle, the combination with the frame, the seat and the wheels,of a spring, means for actuating said spring While the seat is beinglowered with reference to one of the wheels and for converting reactionof the spring into upward movement of the seat with reference to suchwheel, such means comprising a cylinder having a suitable stuffing-box,a piston, its piston-rod sliding within said stuffing-box, an automaticvalve between the two compartments at opposite sides of the pistonadjusted to occupy its restricting position while the spring isreacting, a restricted return-passage being provided for permitting flowof fluid between the compartments when said valve is in its restrictingposition, a body of liquid filling part only of the cylinder, whereby anair-space is left in one of said compartments, and means for compellingflow of liquid through such passage and thereby checking flow of airthrough the same after the valve reaches its restricting position andwhile the air in said air-space is being subjected to changing pressuresdue to the movement of said piston.

14.. In regulating means for cushioning devices in cycles, thecombination with a cylinder and a piston with piston-rod ascending anddescending therein, of a by-pass around said piston, an automatic valvein said bypass. adjusted to move downward while. moving into itsrestricting position, a restricted passage being provided for permittingflow of fluid between the portions of the cylinder on both sides of thepiston while said valve is in its restricting position, liquid in saidcylinderadapted to pass during upward movement of the piston from thelower portion of the cyl inder into a receptacle above said valve andoutside of said cylinder and communicating with the portion of theicy-pass between said valve and the upper portion of the cylinder andwith said restricted passage.

15. In a cushioning device for cycles, the combination with a cylinder,and a cupshaped piston comprising a disk with a yielding flangeextending therefrom in contact with the cylinder toward one end of thesame, no yielding contact-flange being provided extending toward theother end of the cylinder, of a spring adapted to be actuated when thepiston travels in the direction opposite to that in which the flangeextends from the disk and to actuate the piston when the same travels inthe direction in which the flange extends from the disk, and means forproviding a liquid seal between the flange and the cylinder while thepiston travels in the direction in which the flange extends from saiddisk.

16. In a cushioning device for cycles, the combination with a cylinder,and a cup shaped piston comprising a disk with a yielding flangeextending therefrom in contact with the cylinder toward one end of thesame, no yielding contact-flange being provided extending toward theother end of the cylinder, of a spring adapted to be actuated when thepiston travels in the direction opposite to that in which the flangeextends from the disk, and to actuate the piston when the same travelsin the direction in which the flange extends from the disk, an automaticvalve adapted to be opened when the spring is being so actuated, arestricted return-passage being provided forpermitting flow of fluidwhile said valve is in its closing position, and means for providing aliquid seal between the flange and the cylinder while the piston travelsin the direction in which the flange extends from said disk.

17. Acushioning device for cycles,comprising an air-chamber and aninterior movable wall, whereby said chamber is divided into twocompartments, a spring adapted to be actuated by the movement ofsaidwall and to actuate it during reaction, an automatic valve betweensaid compartments for yieldingly resisting flow of fluid in onedirection, and a second automatic valve between said compartments foryieldingly resisting such flow in the opposite direction, one of saidvalves having its seat upon the body of the other valve.

18. In regulating means for cushioning devices in cycles, thecombination with a cylinder, of a piston adapted to move therein, achamber in connection with the interior of the cylinder wherein thepiston moves, an automatic valve between said chamber and said cylinder,a restricted passage being provided between said interior and saidchamber for permitting flow of fluid between such interior of thecylinder and said chamber while the valve is in its restricting positionand means for varying and fixedly adjusting the capacity of saidchamber.

19. In regulating means for cushioning devices in cycles, thecombination with a cylinder, of a piston. adjusted to move therein, aby-pass around said piston, an automatic valve in said by pass, arestricted passage being provided for permitting flow of fluid betweenthe two sides of the piston when said valve is in its restrictingposition, a perforation leading into said by-pass being provided in thewall of the cylinder, said perforation being positioned in that part ofthe wall of the cylinder past which the piston is adapted to travel.

20. In regulating means for cushioning devices in cycles, thecombination with a cylinder, of a piston adjusted to move therein, abypass around said piston, an automatic valve in said by-pass, arestricted passage being provided for permitting flow of fluid betweenthe two sides of the piston when said valve is in its restrictingposition, a perforation leading into said by-pass being provided in thewall of the cylinder, said perforation being positioned in that part ofthe by-pass toward which said valve opens and in that part of the wallof the cylinder past which the piston is adapted to travel, and a devicefor controlling the flow through said perforation.

21. In regulating means for cushioning devices in cycles, thecombination with a cylinder, of a piston adjusted to move therein, abypass around said piston,an automatic valve in said by-pass, arestricted passage being provided for permitting flow of fluid betweenthe two sides of the piston when said valve is in its restrictingposition, and adjustable means for permitting flow of fluid between theby-pass and that part of theinterior of the cylinder through which thepiston is adapted to travel.

22. In regulating means for cushioning devices in cycles, thecombination with a cylinder, of a piston adjusted to move therein, aby-pass around said piston, an automatic valve in said by-pass,arestricted passage being provided for permitting flow of fluid betweenthe two sides of the piston while said valve is in its restrictingposition, a multiplicity of perforations leading into said bypass beingprovided in dilferent parts of the wall of the cylinder past which thepiston is adapted to travel successively, and means for closing one ofsaid perforations.

23. In regulating means for cushioning devices in cycles, thecombination with a cylinder, of a piston adapted to move therein, apassage being provided leading from one side of the piston to the otherside, means for regulating the flow of fluid through said passage, areservoir in direct connection only with a chamber in the cylinder onone side of the piston, and an automatic valve for regulating the flowof fluid between said reservoir and said chamber, a passage beingprovided for permitting such flow while said valve is in its restrictingposition.

24. In regulating means for cushioning devices in cycles, thecombination with a cylinder, of a piston adapted to move therein, aconduit being provided leading from one side of the piston to the otherside, an automatic valve in said conduit, a passage being provided forpermitting flow of fluid between the chambers on either side of thepiston when said valve is in its restricting position, a reservoir, apassage being provided connecting the same with one of said chambers andan automatic valve in said connecting-passage, and means for permittingreturn flow of fluid out of said reservoir into the chamber with whichit is so connected when said valve is in its restricting position.

25. In combination with a cycle-frame having relatively movablesections, cushioning means between said sections comprising two springsadapted to be actuated successively and both seated upon one of saidsections and adapted to be actuated upon relative displacement of theother section, mechanism for actuating said springs upon relativemovements of the frame-sections, and means for adjusting the distancebetween the contact-point on the spring which is to be actuated last andthe contact-point on the opposed frame-section without varying theposition of the spring which is to be actuated first with reference tosaid frame-sections, one of said springs being held out of engagementwith the con tactpoint which is to actuate it during part of the timeduring which the other spring is being actuated.

26. In combinationwitha cycle-framehaving relatively movable sections,cushioning means between said sections comprising two springs adapted toresist relative displacements of said sections in the same direction andto be actuated successively, a contact device in engagementwith one ofsaid springs,a second contact device adapted to engage with the otherspring, and screw-thread arrangement for adjusting the relativepositions of said contact devices,one of said springs being held out ofengagement with the contactpoint which is to actuate it during part ofthe time during which the other spring is being actuated.

27. In combination with a cycle-frame having relatively movablesections, cushioning means between said sections comprising two springsadapted to be actuated successively, means for regulating the actions ofsaid springs consisting of a casing having two compartments and a wallmovable with reference to said compartments, and means for successivelyimparting relative movement of said wall and said casing to saidsprings, one of said springs being held out of engagement with thecontact-point which is to actuate it during part of the time duringwhich the other spring is being actuated.

28. In combination with a cycle-frame having relatively movablesections, a spring mounted upon one of said sections, a lever interposedbetween the other section and said spring, and means for adjusting thefulcrum of said lever in a direction substantially parallel with thedirection in which said spring is actuated.

29. In combination with a cycle-frame having relatively movablesections, two springs mounted upon one of said sections, a leverinterposed between the other section and one CHARLES L. HORACK.

Witnesses:

W. J. PARSONS, WM. SHAW.

